Dispensing container with rupturable spout

ABSTRACT

A container is disclosed of the type in which an outer casing of cardboard or the like encloses a plastics bag in which the contents of the container are inserted. The pointed end of a triangular ear formed in the bag when it is folded and sealed projects through an opening in a closure flap in the casing. The closure flap and ear are loosely sandwiched between two other closure flaps so that when the first-mentioned closure flap, which is attached to a breakaway piece from the sidewall of the casing, is removed from between the two other closure flaps, the ear is withdrawn with it. The opening has a cutting edge which ruptures the ear upon withdrawal.

I United States Patent I 13,567,073

[72] Inventor Reginald Friedeuthal [56] References Cited 3 Northgate, Ring Road, .CIOWH Gardens, UNITED STATES PATENTS I N ggg ggz 2,954,901 10/1960 Winstead 222/183 [211 P I 3,112,047 11/1963 Weinreich et al.. 222/1s3x [221 PM 3 119 544 1/1964 Cope et al 222/1s3x Patented 1971 [32] Priority June 19,1968 Primary Examiner-Stanley H. Tollberg [33] South Africa Assistant Examiner-Frederick R. Handr-en [31] 68/3909 Attorney-Young & Thompson ABSTRACT: A container is disclosed of the type in which an 1 1 DISPENSING CONTAINER WITH RUPTURABLE ii iiili 'l ofiffi liiii Z8iZQZFSZ'ESZZZJ?iififii'ifi SPOUT end of a triangular ear formed in the bag when it is folded and 16 Chums 4 Drawmg sealed projects through an opening in a closure flap in the cas- [52] U.S. Cl. 222/88, ing. The closure flap and ear are loosely sandwiched between 222/183, 222/527, 222/541 two other closure flaps so that when the first-mentioned clo- [51] lnt.Cl. B65d 5/60, sure flap, which is attached to a breakaway piece from the B65d 5/74 sidewall of the casing, is removed from between the two other [50] Field of Search 222/81, 86, closure flaps, the ear iswithdrawn with it The opening has a 183, 527, 541 88 cutting edge which ruptures the ear upon withdrawal.

DISPENSING CONTAINER WITH RUPTURABLE SPOUT This invention relates to containers of the type consisting of a carton made of cardboard or the like enclosing a bag made of plastics material or the like, the contents of the container being contained in the bag. These containers are being used on an increasing scale as they provide the advantages of low cost, due to the use of the plastics bag, together with the excellent protection which the plastics material provides for the contents of the container, withoutthe disadvantage of the lack of firmness of a plastics bag when used by itself.

The invention has particular application to containers for packaging and dispensing fluent materials, in which the bag has an ear which can be withdrawn from the interior of the casing to constitute a spout through which, when the ear is ruptured, the contents of the bag can be dispensed.

A number of containers of this type has previously been proposed. One type has a formation on one of the closure flaps of the casing adapted to engage a slit in the edge of the ear. The formation is part of a breakaway section on the carton or casing which pulls the ear out when it is removed from the casing. This type has the disadvantage that a separate operation is needed to provide the slit in the ear and it is difficult to engage the formation in the slit. Furthermore, the ear is not automatically ruptured as it is withdrawn.

Another type is provided with rupturing means, but in this type the ear is folded downwardly adjacent a sidewall of the container. A closure flap mounted on the sidewall opposite the first-mentioned sidewall is provided with a lip which tucks into the casing adjacent the downwardly folded ear. This lip is used as a cutting edge to rupture the car when it is lifted upwardly by means of a breakaway section in the sidewall to which it is stuck. The disadvantage of this container is that the closure flaps are not adhered to one another and the casing consequently lacks the strength of those in which the closure flaps are adhered to one another. Another disadvantage of this container is that it is necessary to provide adhesive to stick the ear to the breakaway piece.

It is an object of the invention to'provide a container in which these disadvantages are overcome.

According to the invention, acontainer for packaging and dispensing fluent materials comprises an outer casing of relatively stiff material, a bag of relatively flaccid material adapted to be located in the outer casing-and having an ear which can be withdrawn from the interior of the casing to constitute a spout through which, when the ear is ruptured, the contents of the bag can be dispensed, an element which is at least partly removable from the casing, an opening in the element through which a part of the ear is adapted to project before the ear is withdrawn, and rupturing means on the element, so that when the element is removed the ear is withdrawn and ruptured thereby.

Further according to the invention, the casing is polygonal in cross section and the element and the ear are adapted to be loosely sandwiched before the ear is withdrawn between two closure flaps of the casing.

In one form of the invention, the element comprises at least a part of a third closure flap of the casing. Again, the element may further comprise a section of the sidewall of the casing.

Yet again in one form of the invention, the ear has a pointed end constituting the partthereof which is adapted to project through the opening.

According to a feature of the invention, the means to rupture the ear comprises a cutting edge forming part of the periphery of the opening. The cutting edge may further be provided with a point directed into the opening.

An embodiment of the invention is described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a container according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the container before upper closure flaps of a carton thereof are folded into the closed position;

FIG. 3 illustrates a flap of the carton being pulled out to create a spout in a plastics bag enclosed in the carton; and

FIG. 4 illustrates the bag enclosed] by the carton with the spout ready to discharge the contents of the bag.

Referring to the drawings, a container for containing any fluent material consists of a stiff-cardboard carton 10 which encloses a flexible plastics bag 12. The carton is of rectangular cross section. The plastics bag is of the type made from a tube which is formed and inserted in the carton before the contents of the bag are inserted and the cutting-off operation takes place. It is well known that in the forming of the bags into a rectangular cross section, ears are created at the ends of the bag at the extremities of the sealing lines. Moreover these ears are usually triangular, the base of the triangle lying at the joint between the ear and the body of the bag and the apex of the triangle projecting away from the body of the bag. Two such ears are illustrated at 14 and 16, the ears each being joined to a narrow side of the bag, only one of the narrow sides being shown at 18. If the apex 20 of, forexample, the ear 16 is cut off, there is nothing to stop the contents of the bag from being poured out of the bag through the hole created by cutting off the apex 20.

The carton 10 in which the bag 12 is adapted to be enclosed, is provided with four closure flaps at each end, one closure flap being connected to each side of the carton. The flaps 22 at the lower end are conventional and, after the bag 12 is inserted in the carton, are closed in any conventional way. At the upper end, there are flaps 24 and 26 attached to opposingwide sides of the carton; only one wide side 28 being visible in the drawings. Similarly there are flaps 30 and 32 at tached to opposing narrow sides of the carton, with again only one narrow side 34 being visible in the drawings. The wide flap 26 and the narrow flap 30 are plain, but the other two flaps 24 and 32 are not. The wide flap 24 has a. lip 36 which, when the flap 24 is folded downwardly to cover the end of the carton as hereinafter described, overlaps the end of the carton and is folded down and attached to the wide side 28 by adhesive, this joint being the only joint which holds the flaps at the upper end of the carton in position after closure.

The narrow flap 32 is provided with a recess 38 extending from the free end 40 of the flap 32 to a little more than halfway down the length of the flap 32. The recess 38 is closed by a metal closure strip 42 rivetedor crimped to the flap 32 across the open end of the recess. The closure strip 42 does not completely overlie the recess 38, but leaves a gap creating an opening 44 in the flap 32. The end of the closure strip 42 adjacent the hole 44 is angular having a point 46 pointing towards the opening 44. This is provided for a purpose described later.

The flap 32 is joined to a breakaway section 48 of the narrow side 34 separated from the remaining part 50 of the side 34 by a line ofweakness 52. When the breakaway section 48 is removed from the side 34 by separation along the line of weakness 52, the breakaway section 48 together with the flap 32 is completely separate from the carton. The line of weakness is substantially U-shaped for a purpose which will later become clear.

The carton is filled as follows. The bag 12 is inserted in the carton 10 through the bottom thereof before the bottom is closed. As the bag penetrates deeper into the carton, the ears 14 and 16 project above the endsof the narrow sides of the carton through the slits 54 between the narrow sides and the edges of the wide flap 26 which is already folded down at this stage as illustrated in FIG. 1. The apices 20 of of the cars come into contact with the inner faces of the narrow flaps 30 and 32, the narrow flaps being folded inwardly at 45 for this purpose, again as shown in FIG. 1. As penetration progresses, the apex 20 of the ear l6 eventually enters the opening 44 and its own resilience enables it to pass through the hole, pressing up against the side of the hole opposite the closure strip and thus avoid hooking on the point 46 of the closure strip 42. The progress to this stage is shown in FIG. 2.

When the bag 12 is completely within the carton 10, the narrow flaps 30 and 32 are folded down fully. The flaps 30 and 32 are not long enough to overlap but their free ends abut. The ear 14 is sandwiched between the flap 26 and the flap 30 and the ear 16 is partially sandwiched between the flap 26 and the flap 32, the apex 20 of the ear 16 of course projecting through the opening 44. After-this the flap 24 is folded down over the two narrow flaps and the lip 36 is joined to the end of the side 28 as shown in FIG. 3. The flaps 30 and 32 are now sandwiched between the flaps 26 and 24 but are in no way joined to them. The carton with its contents is now ready for distribution.

To gain access to the contents of the bag 12, the section 48 is first separated from the side 34 by separation along the line of weakness 52 and is folded outwardly and upwardly until it is in line with the flap 32 still sandwiched between the wide flaps 24 and 26, as shown in FIG. 3. If the section 48 is pulled in a lateral direction (with respect to the longitudinal axis of the carton), i.e. in the direction of the arrow A, the flap 32 will be withdrawn from between the wide flaps 24 and 26. As the flap 32 is withdrawn since it is engaged with the ear 16 by virtue of the fact that the ear projects through the opening 44, the ear 16 is also withdrawn from between the two wide flaps 24 and 26. This process is aided by the point 46 of the closure strip 42 which catches firmly and unavoidably on to the plastics material since the ear 26 and the closure strip 42 are pressed firmly into contact by the pressure of the two flaps 24 and 26. Thus the car 16 is drawn out of the carton and as the flap 32 is removed further away from the carton in the direction of the arrow A the closure strip 42 draws the ear 16 further and further outwardly until the plastics material of the bag tenses and the closure strip 42 tears or cuts its way through the material at the apex of the ear 16 leaving a hole 56 as shown in FIG. 4, through which the contents of the bag can be poured. The U-shape of the line of weakness gives the part 58 of the bag projecting out of the carton and constituting a spout, a convenient trough shape which aids the flow of materials therethrough.

The edge of the closure strip in which the point 48 is located may be sharpened to constitute a knife edge for aiding the cutting of the hole 56in the spout.

It is not necessary for the breakaway section 48 to be entirely detached, although this would be usual. It might for example be left attached to the side 34 along a horizontal line, and be arranged to pivot downwardly about this line. The term removed as used in the claims, should be construed in this light.

I claim:

1. A container for packagingand dispensing fluent materials, comprising an outer casing of relatively stiff material, a bag of relatively flaccid material adapted to be located in the outer casing and having an ear which can be withdrawn from the interior of the casing to constitute a spout through which, when the ear is ruptured, the contents of the bag can be dispensed, an element which is at least partly removable from the casing, an opening in the element through which a part of the ear is adapted to project before the ear is withdrawn, and rupturing means on the element, so that when the element is removed the ear is withdrawn and ruptured thereby.

2. A container as claimed in claim 1, in which the casing is polygonal in cross section and the element and the ear are adapted to be loosely sandwiched, before the ear is withdrawn between two closure flaps of the casing.

3. A container as claimed in claim 2, in which the element comprises at least a part of a third closure flap of the casing.

4. A container as claimed in claim 3, in which the element further comprises a section of the sidewall of the casing.

5. A container as claimed in claim 1, in which the ear has a pointed end constituting the part thereof which is adapted to project through the opening.

6. A container as claimed in claim 1, in which the means to rupture the ear comprises a cutting edge forming part of the periphery of the opening.

7. A container as claimed in claim 6, in which the cutting edge is provided with a point directed into the openin I A container for packaging and dispensing fluen materials, comprising an outer casing of relatively stiff material and of polygonal cross section, a bag of relatively flaccid material adapted to be located in the outer casing and having an ear with a pointed end which can be withdrawn from the interior of the casing to constitute a spout through which, when the pointed end is ruptured, the contents of the bag can be dispensed, one side of the casing having a closure flap at least a part of which is detachable therefrom, the detachable part being provided with an opening through which the pointed.

end of the ear is adapted to project before the ear is withdrawn, and rupturing means on the closure flap, so that when the detachable part of the closure flap is removed from the casing, the ear is withdrawn and ruptured thereby.

9. A container as claimed in claim 8, in which the closure flap and the ear are adapted to be loosely sandwiched, before the ear is withdrawn, between -two other closure flaps on the casing. 1

10. A container as claimed in claim 8, in which the means to rupture the ear comprise a cutting edge forming part of the periphery of the opening. I

11. A container as claimed in claim 10, in which the cutting edge is provided with a point directed into the opening.

12. A container for packaging and dispensing fluent materials, comprising an outer casing of relatively stiff material, a bag of relatively flaccid material adapted to be located in the outer casing and having an ear which'can be withdrawn from the interior of the casing to constitute a spout through which, when the ear is ruptured, the contents of the bag can be dispensed, the casing being polygonal in cross section and at least three adjacent sides thereof being provided with first, second and third closure flaps respectively which overlap when folded, at least a part of the first closure flap being detachable therefrom and being provided with an opening through which, before the ear is withdrawn, a part of the ear is adapted to project the first closure flap and the ear being adapted to be loosely sandwiched between the other two closure flaps before the ear is withdrawn, and rupturing means on the first closure flap, so that when the detachable part of the first closure flap is detached and removed from the casing, the ear is withdrawn and ruptured thereby.

13. A container as claimed in claim 12, in which a part of the sidewall on which the first closure fiap is mounted is adapted to be detached from the sidewall with the detachable part of the first closure flap.

14. A container as claimed in claim 12, in which the ear has a pointed end constituting the part thereof which is adapted to project through the opening.

15. A container as claimed in claim 12, in which the means to rupture the ear comprise a cutting edge forming part of the periphery ofthe opening.

16. A container as claimed in claim 15, in which the cutting edge is provided with a point directed into the opening. 

1. A container for packaging and dispensing fluent materials, comprising an outer casing of relatively stiff material, a bag of relatively flaccid material adapted to be located in the outer casing and having an ear which can be withdrawn from the interior of the casing to constitute a spout through which, when the ear is ruptured, the contents of the bag can be dispensed, an element which is at least partly removable from the casing, an opening in the element through which a part of the ear is adapted to project before the ear is withdrawn, and rupturing means on the element, so that when the element is removed the ear is withdrawn and ruptured thereby.
 2. A container as claimed in claim 1, in which the casing is polygonal in cross section and the element and the ear are adapted to be loosely sandwiched, before the ear is withdrawn between two closure flaps of the casing.
 3. A container as claimed in claim 2, in which the element comprises at least a part of a third closure flap of the casing.
 4. A container as claimed in claim 3, in which the element further comprises a section of the sidewall of the casing.
 5. A container as claimed in claim 1, in which the ear has a pointed end constituting the part thereof which is adapted to project through the opening.
 6. A container as claimed in claim 1, in which the means to rupture the ear comprises a cutting edge forming part of the periphery of the opening.
 7. A container as claimed in claim 6, in which the cutting edge is provided with a point directed into the opening.
 8. A container for packaging and dispensing fluent materials, comprising an outer casing of relatively stiff material and of polygonal cross section, a bag of relatively flaccid material adapted to be located in the outer casing and having an ear with a pointed end which can be withdrawn from the interior of the casing to constitute a spout through which, when the pointed end is ruptured, the contents of the bag can be dispensed, one side of the casing having a closure flap at least a part of which is detachable therefrom, the detachable part being provided with an opening through which the pointed end of the ear is adapted to project before the ear is withdrawn, and rupturing means on the closure flap, so that when the detachable part of the closure flap is removed from the casing, the ear is withdrawn and ruptured thereby.
 9. A container as claimed in claim 8, in which the closure flap and the ear are adapted to be loosely sandwiched, before the ear is withdrawn, between two other closure flaps on the casing.
 10. A container as claimed in claim 8, in which the means to rupture the ear comprise a cutting edge forming part of the periphery of the opening.
 11. A container as claimed in claim 10, in which the cutting edge is provided with a point directed into the opening.
 12. A container for packaging and dispensing fluent materials, comprising an outer casing of relatively stiff material, a bag of relatively flaccid material adapted to be located in the outer casing and having an ear which can be withdrawn from the interior of the casing to constitute a spout through which, when the ear is ruptured, the contents of the bag can be dispensed, the casing being polygonal in cross section and at least three adjacent sides thereof being provided with first, second and third closure flaps respectively which overlap when folded, at least a part of the first closure flap being detachable therefrom and being provided with an opening through which, before the ear is withdrawn, a part of the ear is adapted to project the first closure flap and the ear being adapted to be loosely sandwiched between the other two closure flaps before the ear is withdrawn, and rupturing means on the first closure flap, so that when the detachable part of the first closure flap is detached and removed from the casing, the ear is withdrawn and ruptured thereby.
 13. A container as claimed in claim 12, in which a part of the sidewall on which the first closure flap is mounted is adapted to be detached from the sidewall with the detachable part of the first closure flap.
 14. A container as claimed in claim 12, in which the ear has a pointed end constituting the part thereof which is adapted to project through the opening.
 15. A container as claimed in claim 12, in which the means to rupture the ear comprise a cutting edge forming part of the periphery of the opening.
 16. A container as claimed in claim 15, in which the cutting edge is provided with a point directed into the opening. 